Valve packing means



Jan. 4, 1966 H. J. SIEMERS VALVE PACKING MEANS Filed May 8, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'FlGZ :FIGI

INVENTOR HOWARD J. SI EMERS QZWWWM Jan. 4, 1966 J, SIEMERS 3,226,834

VALVE PACKING MEANS Filed May a, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 3 FIG4 .FIGS I V FIG6 INVENTOR.

HOWARD J-SIEMERS United States Patent 3,226,834 VALVE PACKING MEANS Howard J. Siemers, 27 Tulip Lane, New Hyde Park, NY. FiledMay S, 1963, Ser. No. 278,935 4 Claims. (Cl. 33-.150)

This invention relates to a tool for measuring valve packing and more particularly a means to measure the mean circumference of the valve packing required for a given installation. I

This tool is designed for valve packing of the type having thickness so that each turn of the valve packing put around the stem inside the stufiing box is separately out.

One of the difiiculties is that the ends of the packing must be cut at an angle in order to provide a good fit at all times.

When a person wants to renew packing in a valve, after removing the old packing and determining the size of new packing to use, the general procedure is to wrap it around the valve stem and with the aidof a knife or some other instrument, inscribe a mark where they come together. Most men will cut the packing square which is wrong as it leaves a gap when the ends are buttedtogether. The proper way is an angle out, not too little or too much as this causes gaps too.

With some forms of packing, especially metallic, it is difficult to keep the packingwrapped tightly around the valve stems with one hand and inscribe a mark with the other. Generally, the valves must be repacked wherever they are located and those on lines carrying hot gases or 3,226,834 Patented Jan. 41-, 1966 Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for measuring valve packing including a wire cutter means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improvedmeans for measuring valve packing including a hook to remove the old packing.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for measuring valve packing including inside and outside calipers.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the use thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are illustrations of improper cuts of packing,

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a modification of the invention showing a guide for packing.

FIGURE 6 is a detail view of FIGURE 5.

Referring to the figures, FIGURE 1 shows an embodiment of the invention comprising a pair of members 1 and 2 which are pivotal-1y mounted together at the point 3, preferably by means of a nut and bolt or a rivet so as to form a pair of short arms 1 and 2' and a pair of long arms 1" and 2". The ends of the short arms 1 and 2 have two points 1a and 1b on 1 and 2a and 2b on 2.

liquids hinder the user in getting a proper measurement.

An improperly packed valve will not last as long if it was done correctly.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved packing tool for measuring valve packing of the type having thickness equal to the opening between the valve stem and the stufiing box.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved valve packing means of the type where each wrap of the packing is separately out.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for measuring the mean circumference of the valve packing for a given installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved measuring means for valve packing having means to indicate the proper angle of the cut for the valve packing, so that the ends of the packing will abut properly.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved measuring means for valve packing and means to lay out the angles of the cuts to provide good abutment of said packing comprising; a pair of arms pivotally connected together closer to form a pair of short arms and a pair of long arms, afirst point onthe outside edge of one of said short arms, a second .Point on the inside edge of the other of said short arms, said long arms being approximately 3.1416 times the length of said short arms. p

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved measuring means for Valve packing and means to lay out the angles of the cuts to provide good abutment of said packing comprising; a pair of arms pivott The long members have a pair of tabs 6 and 7 which project perpendicularly. Tab 6 is in a straight line with point 3 and a point which bisects point 1a and 1b. Tab 7 is in a straight line with point 3 and a point which bisects points 211 and 2b. The tabs 6 and 7 have sharp lower edges 6a and 7a which are used to indicate the cuts to be made on the packing. The distance from the pivot point 3 to the nearest edge of the tabs, 6 and 7, constitute the effective length of the long members and is approximately 3.1416 times the distance of the pivot point 3 to the point which bisects 1a and 1b on 1' and 2a and 2b on 2 which constitutes the eiiective length of the short members. The tabs may be permanently or adjustably fixed to the arms as will be explained. The tabs may be adjustably mounted by the thumbscrews 6b and 7b.

The length of the long members may be extended and have points 10 and 11 so that the members may be used as a conventional divider if desired. The long members may have inside and outside points at their ends so that they may be used for inside and outside calipers.

The inside of one long member has a serrated edge 12 for the purpose of cutting the packing. If desired a hook m mber 13 may be mounted at the pivot point 3 for the purpose of extracting the old packing.

The use of the invention is as follows:

Assume it is desired to measure the length of packing to pack between the valve stem 14 and stufling box 15. This measurement is made as shown in FIGURE 1 by placing the point ZaagainSt the inside of the stufiing box and the point 1a against the other side of the valve stem. The tool is then removed from the valve and is laid on a straight pice of packing so that the tab members 6 and 7 lay on the packing. The tool is then pressed onto the packing so that tabs 6 and 7 form indentations indicating the position and angle of the cuts.

'The angle of the cutting will then be correct for cutting and providing proper abutting relationship between the ends of the packing.

The same measurement can be obtained if point 2b is placed against the left side of the valve stem and 1b against the inside (right side) of the stufiing box.

If desired a wire cutter 20 may be incorporated for the purpose of cutting reinforcing wire which may be used to hold lagging in place surrounding a valve and/or 3 line. This comprises a cutter 1b and 2b on the members 1 and 2. i

FIGURE 3 shows an illustration of a gap in the packing P resulting from making a wrong cut in packing at too small an angle.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a gap in the packing P by cutting at too great an angle.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show an adjustment for the invention which facilitates keeping the valve packing straight while making the cutting indentations. In this arr-angement, the guide is mounted in the arms 1 and 2 preferably by means of pins or rivets 21 and 22 in slots 21a and 22a in the member 20.

The member 20 is a right angle member so that one side of the member provides a guide against the packing 25 so that the packing may be laid out conveniently in a straight line. The tabs 6 and 7 are then pressed down on the packing to a desired position for the angle of cutting.

The tabs are placed on the arms at an angle which approximates a good cutting angle for a particular range of valve sizes.

If desired these tabs may be adjustably mounted with thumb screws so that once the proper angle is determined for a certain size valve then the angle will always be perfect.

To sum up, the present invention enables a person to measure the packing in a mere convenient and accurate way. It enables the user to take one measurement and then retire to a more comfortable place to cut the number of pieces required. If there is more than one turn of packing to be added, it assures the user that each piece will be the same length. It also can be used as a packing hook, inside and outside calipers, a divider, a cutter, and a knife thereby eliminating the need for these tools.

Therefore, the primary purpose of the tool is to measure packing but in addition to this, as stated in the description, it performs seven other functions. They are:

(1) Angle indicator: to show where to cut the packing to get a perfect joint when the ends are butted together.

(2) Knife: to cut the new packing.

(3) Packing hook: to remove the old packing.

(4) Inside calipers.

(5) Outside calipers.

(6) Dividers.

(7) Wire cutter and/ or insulation remover.

I am aware that the particular form of my invention which I have here described is susceptible of considerable variations without departing from the spirit of my invention. Although, I have stated herein that the long members 1 and 2" are approximately 3.1416 times the length of the short members 1 and 2', a ratio which will account for the outside expansion and compression of the inside of the general form of packing in use today, I do not wish to be limited to the above ratio and, therefore, I desire to claim the same specifically as well as broadly as indicated by my appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for measuring the mean circumference of valve packing and laying out the angles of cuts to provide proper abutment of said packing comprising:

a pair of arms pivotally connected together closer to one end of said arms forming a pair of short arms and a pair of long arms,

a first point on the outside edge of one of said short arms,

a second point on the inside edge of the other of said short arms,

the etfective length of said long arms being approximately 3.14 times the length than said short arms,

a first adjustable marking tab connected adjacent the end of one of said long arms,

and a second adjustable marking tab connected adjacent the end of the other of said long arms,

said marking tab projecting perpendicular to the parallel planes containing said points,

whereby after said points are placed against the valve stem and the inside of the valve stufiing box, said marking tabs may be laid on a straight piece of packing to measure the mean circumference and to lay out the angles of cuts to provide proper abutment of said packing when packed in said valve.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said tabs are fixedly mounted on said arms.

3. Means for measuring the mean circumference of valve packing comprising:

a pair of arms pivotally connected together closer to one end of said arms forming a pair of short arms and a pair of long arms, first point on the outside edge of one of said short arms,

a second point on the inside edge of the other of said short arms,

said long arms being approximately 3.14 times longer than said short arms,

a first adjustable marker edge connected adjacent the end of one of said long arms,

and an adjustable second edge marker connected adjacent the end of the other of said long arms.

4. Means for measuring the mean circumference of valve packing and laying out the angles of cuts to provide proper abutment of said packing comprising:

a pair of arms pivotally connected together forming a pair of short arms and a pair of long arms,

a first point on the outside edge of one of said short arms,

a second point on the inside edge of the other of said short arms,

said long arms being approximately 3.14 times longer than said short arms,

a first marker edge connected adjacent the end of one of said long arms,

a second marker edge connecting said arm adjacent the end of the other of said long arms,

a packing guide member slidably connected to said arms adjacent said markers,

whereby after said points are placed against the valve stem and the inside of the valve stuffing box, said markers may be laid on a straight piece of packing to measure the mean circumference and to lay out the angles of cuts to provide proper abutment of said packing when packed in said valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 252,410 1/1882 Woodruif 33110 FOREIGN PATENTS 61,112 10/1954 France.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner. 

1. MEANS FOR MEASURING THE MEAN CIRCUMFERENCE OF VALVE PACKING AND LAYING OUT THE ANGLES OF CUTS TO PROVIDE PROPER ABUTMENT OF SAID PACKING COMPRISING: A PAIR OF ARMS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER CLOSER TO ONE END OF SAID ARMS FORMING A PAIR OF SHORT ARMS AND A PAIR OF LONG ARMS, A FIRST POINT ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SHORT ARMS, A SECOND POINT ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SHORT ARMS, THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF SAID LONG ARMS BEING APPROXIMATELY 3.14 TIMES THE LENGTH THAN SAID SHORT ARMS, A FIRST ADJUSTABLE MARKING TAB CONNECTED ADJACENT THE END OF ONE OF SAID LONG ARMS, AND A SECOND ADJUSTABLE MARKING TAB CONNECTED ADJACENT THE END OF THE OTHER OF SAID LONG ARMS, SAID MARKING TAB PROJECTING PERPENDICULAR TO THE PARALLEL PLANES CONTAINING SAID POINTS, WHEREBY AFTER SAID POINTS ARE PLACED AGAINST THE VALVE STEM AND THE INSIDE OF THE VALVE STUFFING BOX, SAID MARKING TABS MAY BE LAID ON A STRAIGHT PIECE OF PACKING TO MEASURE THE MEAN CIRCUMFERENCE AND TO LAY OUT THE ANGLES OF CUTS TO PROVIDE PROPER ABUTMENT OF SAID PACKING WHEN PACKED IN SAID VALVE. 